West Paris Old Home Days coming

WEST PARIS — West Paris Old Home Days will be held June 1-2 and the 2012 theme is "Re-discover West Paris: The Gem of Western Maine." Old Home Days is a two-day town fair celebrating small town life with fireworks, a parade, live music, Alumni Day, delicious food and Historical Society programs.

Little Castle Library hosts a book signing of "Feldspar, Families and Feuds," the picture and story book chronicling the different experiences in open pit mining by several of the region's mining families. The charming village was once the center of the world feldspar trade. The program will be presented by the book's contributing authors, Jan Brownstein of Albany and John Davis of South Paris. Also at the West Paris Library is the first retrospective exhibit of West Paris resident and graphic artist, Sheridan “Mac” McLaughlin.

Come operate a mining sluice and find semi-precious gems from Mt. Mica like the state stone, Tourmaline, and have it set in jewelry on site. Mine tours are available for a fee to Mt. Mica on Sunday June 3. Climb a rock wall or dare to trapeze. Teens are encouraged to volunteer, help plan and attend.

Music performances will feature Peter Allen and Hurricane Mountain and Monsta. Justus2 will perform Saturday afternoon as part of the Mission Congregational Church's celebration of their new look. Refreshments will be served. View the outstanding stained glass in the local churches.

Check out Beth and Jim Chaffee’s Toy Train display with train safety information provided by the St. Lawrence and Atlantic Railroad that travels through West Paris. A horseshoe pit will be active. New this year is the first annual He-Man Competition (women also invited to compete.)

The official start to the weekend will be at 5 p.m. Friday, when musician Jim Bennett, dressed in Civil War attire, hosts the flag ceremony and leads a sing-along of patriotic tunes. The parade begins at 11 a.m. Saturday with long-time resident Bertha DeHaas as Grand Marshal. Other events will be a performance by Jaci's Jazzettes, a Chicken Barbecue Luncheon to benefit the West Paris Fire Department and Auxiliary. The West Paris Historical Society on Maine Street and the Finnish American Society on Maple Street will be open. A "Magic Show by Markus & Angelique Steelgrave" will be presented.

The Mollyockett Sportsman’s Club which builds and maintains area snowmobile trails will sell breakfast Saturday and serve burgers, hot dogs and fries both days. Come meet old friends and make new ones.

Real Estate agents with listings in the village are invited to hold open houses this weekend. Discover or re-discover a great place to live and play. Volunteers are still needed to help. Parade participants should contact vpoland@megalink.net or Jacisjazzettes@hotmail.com for vendor opportunities.

For more information contact westparispr@gmail.com or see the town’s website, http://www.westparisme.com or Facebook page.